A Brazilian man who was born with an upside-down head and severely deformed limbs and defied all odds to become successful and independent in life has now written a book about his life’s challenging journey. Claudio Viera de Oliveria
, 40, was born with arthrogryposis which caused his head to be upside-down and facing the wrong way. People with this rare condition have their body joints fused together.
Despite his physical deformities, Oliveria came up with ways of overcoming life’s challenges. He not only learned to use a pen with his mouth to type words but can also use a computer mouse or a phone with the help of his lips. He has also successfully completed his education and is an accountant. Now Oliveria often gives inspirational speeches at special events.
Claudio Oliveria has managed to live an independent and successful life despite his physical deformity. (Credit: YouTube)
His first book called 'El mundo esta a contramano' (The world is the wrong way around) was launched at the Art Museum of the city of Sao Paulo in south-east Brazil. Shockingly when Oliveria was born, doctors had told his mother, Maria Jose Vieira Martins, that she should starve him to death. “People started to tell me that my baby was going to die because he could hardly breathe when he was born. Some told me not to feed him,” she told Daily Mail.
Fortunately she ignored their advice and with time Oliveria grew up to be independent. He says that he has learned how to turn on the TV, pick up the cell phone, turn on the radio and use the computer all by himself. He even does a bit of accounting, research for clients and consulting after qualifying as an accountant from the State University of Feira de Santana.
Although Oliveria cannot use a wheel chair because of his unusual shape and walks on his knees, he always tries to adapt his body to different situations and feels like a ‘normal person’. “Nowadays it's much easier to deal with the public, I'm not afraid of it anymore and I can say that I am a professional, international public speaker and that I receive invitations from all over the world,” he signs off.
Know more about his life by clicking on the video below
